High density memory card assembly

Abstract

A high density memory card assembly having application for USB drive storage, flash and ROM memory cards, and similar memory card formats. A cavity is formed through a rigid laminate substrate. First and second digital memory devices (e.g., TSOP packages or bare semiconductor dies) are located within the cavity so as to be recessed relative to the top and bottom of the substrate. The recessed first and second memory devices are arranged in spaced, face-to-face alignment with one another within the cavity. The first and second memory devices are covered and protected by respective first and second memory packages that are located on the top and bottom of the substrate. By virtue of the foregoing, the memory package density of the assembly can be increased without increasing the height or area consumed by the assembly for receipt within an existing external housing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to memory device packaging and, more particularly, to high density digital memory cards having application for USB drive storage, flash and ROM memory cards, and other memory cards of similar format. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] Most conventional memory card assemblies (excluding the outside casing) include a rigid laminate substrate, such as an FR-4 printed wiring board (PWB), a controller, the required passive components, and at least one digital (e.g., flash) memory storage device in a TSOP (thin small outline package) type 1 package. The TSOP 1 packages are desirable because of their thin profile, typically only 1.2 mm high, and small overall footprint that can meet the size limitations of a memory card. While a memory card may vary in size and shape, most have limited thickness in order to be able to fit into the slot of a reader that is adapted to receive specific types of m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] In general terms, what is disclosed herein is a digital storage memory card such as a USB drive, SD card, MMC card, or a CF card having one or more flash memory device packages to provide non-volatile, digital memory storage. More particularly, a high density arrangement is provided for a memory card assembly using a leadframe type package, such as TSOP, on one or both sides of a flex or rigid-flex substrate to increase the memory package density without substantially increasing the overall height or area consumed. By virtue of the foregoing, the assembly can comfortably fit inside an external housing that has been allocated for typical USB drives and other card formats.

Problems solved by technology

However, such a stacked-die package is more difficult and expensive to manufacture.

In addition, the package assembly procedure is more complicated than that used for a standard, single-die package assembly.

In other cases, the stacked-die package having a single defective IC device may become entirely unusable.

Consequently, if the test yield is low, it can prove to be costly in situations where stacked-die packages are used to achieve high density for memory cards.

Images